Spectacular Performances at JAAA Carifta Trials

U20 – 100m

In what seems to be a perennial duel shaping up, this occasion saw Bouwahjgie Nkrumie besting De Andre Daley to capture the U20 Boys 100m at the Carifta Trials 2023.https://t.co/v61PQhEeVx pic.twitter.com/JrWqFTXMyp

— Athletics Jamaica (@Athletics_JA) March 12, 2023

The name Bouwahjgie Nkrumie sounds beautiful but it portrays a certain irony. It rolls off the tongue so easily yet is so tough to spell. Well, like the pronunciation of his name, he won the Under 20 boys 100m at the JAAA Carifta Trials with utmost ease. And like the spelling, he will be tough to beat at the Carifta Games next month in the Bahamas.

He missed a superb opportunity to run a spectacular time in the preliminaries, where he eased long before the line in a favourable wind (+1.9mps) and still ran 10.19. The wind had other ideas in the final but the Kingston College athlete was still able to win with a respectable 10.18 into a (-0.5mps) headwind. De Andre Daley of Herbert Morrison was second with 10.37.

Strong, composed running from Serena Cole saw her winning the U20 Girls 100m at the Carifta Trials 2023.https://t.co/v61PQhEeVx pic.twitter.com/Ty5j4Buva0

— Athletics Jamaica (@Athletics_JA) March 12, 2023

In the Under 20 girls 100m, Serena Cole of Edwin Allen was no less impressive, winning in 11.18 into a (-0.5mps) headwind. She earlier demonstrated her prowess by clocking 11.22 (1.8mps) in the heats. And, it looks like she could go faster with a couple more races under her belt, which she’ll get at the upcoming ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys and Girls Championships.

Alana Reid of Hydel was not far behind with 11.24 and she will harbour thoughts of upsetting in later races. Reid later returned to win the 200m with 22.96.

U17 – 100m

After a faulty start and then a false start, Tramaine Todd kept his nerve and came home to win the U17 Boys 100m at the Carifta Trials 2023.https://t.co/v61PQhEeVx pic.twitter.com/WlevnrFz2q

— Athletics Jamaica (@Athletics_JA) March 12, 2023

Of the other sprinters on show, young Tramaine Todd of St. Elizabeth Technical again looked impressive, easily winning the U17 boys 100m final in 10.58 into a negative wind (-0.5mps).

U20 – 400m Hurdles

There was some classy hurdling on the final day. Toyan Beckford of Edwin Allen fought all the way to win the U20 400mH for girls with 57.30 as Alliah Baker of Hydel breathed down her neck to post 57.60.

U20 – 100m Hurdles

Also, Habiba Harris of St. Elizabeth Technical ran like a hare possessed to hold off Pertersfield’s Alexis James in the U20 Girls 100m hurdles, 13.35 to 13.38 into a  negative 1.7mps wind.

U20 – 110m Hurdles

Shaquane Gordon of Calabar upset the older boys to win the 110mH for U20 boys, posting 13.51! Improvement! pic.twitter.com/UswBD0q4O2

— Athletics Jamaica (@Athletics_JA) March 12, 2023

Another great race saw Shaquane Gordon of Calabar holding off Demario Prince of St Jago in the U20 Boys 110m hurdles, 13.50 to 13.56.

U20 – Discus

Cedricka Williams had great balance in the ring and snatched victory late in the contest to win the U20 Girls discus at the Carifta Trials 2023.https://t.co/v61PQhEeVx pic.twitter.com/BSHmBe2LHb

— Athletics Jamaica (@Athletics_JA) March 12, 2023

In the field, Calabar’s Kobe Lawrence managed a quick double with 19.75m in the U20 Boys shot put and 60.38m in the discus.

Cedricka Williams of Holmwood threw 55.25m in the Discus for Under 20 girls.

Overall the quality on display was good, ensuring that Jamaica will be represented by a strong team at the Carifta Games as usual.

GC Foster Classics

Over at the GC Foster Classics, 200m World Champion Shericka Jackson had an easy outing, posting 52.05 to win the 400m with Rhonda Whyte second with 53.18. Amoi Brown of MVP ran 13.02 to win the 100m hurdles with the legendary intermediate hurdler Melaine Walker in 3rd with 14.03.

Christoff Bryan of MVP rose to 2.20m in the men’s High Jump, O’Dayne Richards threw a season’s best 19.68m in the shot put while Fedrick Dacres impressed with 65.38m in the discus. Samantha Hall of Legacy Athletics got out to 60.82 in the discus. Alexander Betancourt of Kingston College threw 74.14m in the javelin, with Elvis Graham of GC Foster winning the senior section of the event with 74.15m.

The John Wolmer Speed Fest will be in focus this weekend.

Photo credit: Sanzy Lifestyle Media